CAREER GUIDE
A fertile career ground
GOPAKUMAR KARAKONAM
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Postgraduate study options and career avenues in biotechnology, one of the most promising disciplines of engineering and technology.
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Photo: AP
NEW FRONTIERS: Biotechnology is basically a research-oriented discipline.
Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary area encompassing not only biology and engineering, but also subjects such as chemistry, physics and mathematics. Some of the fast-growing areas in biotechnology are recombinant DNA technology, microbial biotechnology, tissue culture technology and cell biology, immuno-technology and protein engineering.
Whether it is in fighting diseases, developing new seeds, or tackling pollution, the use and application of biotechnology is becoming crucial. Biotechnology is basically a research-oriented field. Major application areas of biotechnology are in the fields of healthcare, pharmaceuticals/ medicine, agriculture and environment and animal husbandry.
Study facilities
M.Tech. study facilities in biotechnology are rare. Anna University, Chennai, and West Bengal University of Technology, Kolkata, offer M.Tech. in Biotechnology. Admission to both these universities is based on the Combined Biotechnology Entrance Examination conducted annually by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, on an all-India basis.
Eligibility
Entry qualification prescribed is minimum 60 per cent marks in BE/ B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering / Biochemical Engineering, Industrial Biotechnology, Leather Technology, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, B.Pharma., Chemical Technology or M.Sc. in Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Biophysics, Microbial Genetics and Bioinformatics (Also B.E./B.Tech. in Electrochemistry, Bioengineering and M.Sc. in Chemistry and Physics in the case of Anna University and M.Sc. in Bioengineering for West Bengal University of Technology).
Final-year students in the respective disciplines are also eligible to appear for the entrance examination. Students selected for admission to the universities that are supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, are eligible for scholarship.
Notification of the combined entrance test appears usually during January/ February every year. Entrance test will be conducted in May.
Course duration
The duration of M.Tech. Biotechnology is two years (full-time, four semesters.) Anna University, Guindy, Chennai, will have 25 seats and students admitted to this programme are eligible to receive scholarship. Website: www.annauniv.edu.
Major areas of teaching and research offered by the Centre of Biotechnology, Anna University, for the programme includes Bio-Insecticides, Biochemical Engineering & Bio process Technology, Industrial Enzymes and Bioconversion, Therapeutic molecules from plants, molecular mechanism and diagnosis or Parasitic & Bacterial diseases, Bio informatics, Molecular dynamics and simulation in biology.Intake of West Bengal University of Technology Kolkata is 15 seats. (Number of seats is subject to revision.)
The Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (www.iitkgp.ernet.in/M.Tech.), offers good facilities to study M.Tech. Biotechnology, B.E./ B.Tech. holders with a valid GATE score are eligible for admissions.
The Institute of Engineering and Technology, U.P. Technical University, Lucknow - 226021; www.ietlucknow.edu; is a centre of excellence offering M.Tech. in Biotechnology, a two-year full-time programme.
Students can avail themselves of laboratory facilities of various renowned institutions such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Indian Council for Agricultural Research and university research institutions in Lucknow.
The Centre for Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kukatpally, Hyderabad- 500072 (www.jntuap.ac.in), conducts M.Tech. in Biotechnology. Core course subjects are microbial engineering, molecular biology and virology, general and industrial microbiology, biochemistry and metabolic regulations, process engineering principles.
Elective subjects available here are immunology, fundamentals of computers and programming in `C', enzyme engineering, environmental technology, immuno-technology, plant tissue culture, biochemical and biophysical techniques, etc. More details can be obtained from the university website www.jntuap.ac.in.
The Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (Rajasthan), offers good facilities to study M.E. Biotechnology.
Industrial biotechnology
Industrial biotechnology is a good higher-study option for meritorious B.Tech. holders in Industrial Biotechnology or Biotechnology.
The following deemed universities offer M.Tech. in Industrial Biotechnology.
Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai (www.bharathuniv.ac.in)
Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy, Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu).
Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu.
Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwa Vidyalaya, Bhopal- 462036.
M.Tech. Medical Biotechnology
M.Tech. Medical Biotechnology is another higher-study option. Medical biotechnology is a very rare discipline. Trained manpower in medical biotechnology is in short supply.
The development of immunology and molecular biology has been integrated with modern virology, microbiology and fermentation technology to yield rich dividends in the form of medical products such as insulin, as well as sensitive and specific diagnostic procedures for infectious diseases and inherited disorders.
Gene therapy to correct inherited disorders is being actively used.
This growth potential and research opportunities in this expanding area are excellent
The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras some times conducts a four semester (2 years) M.Tech. Medical Biotechnology course under its user-oriented programme. Entry qualification is B.Tech. in Biotechnology or related fields.
Valid GATE score is needed for admission. Selection will be based on a written test and interview (www.biotech.iitm.ac.in).
Research
After successful completion of the M.Tech. programme, one can go for research study leading to Ph.D. in order to improve one's career prospects in the relevant research field.
Thrust areas of research includes protein engineering, immunology, protein stability, gene expression and regulation immunisation system, molecular, biology of infections diseases etc.
Research facilities leading to Ph.D. are available at Anna University, Chennai; Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kukatpally, Hyderabad; Institute of Engineering Technology, Lucknow; Centre for Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram; Cochin University of Science and Technology; University of Kerala (Department of Biotechnology).
Career prospects
A biotechnologist, depending on the area of specialisation, can find jobs with biotech or pharmaceutical companies or in chemical / agriculture and allied industries.
Biotech research institute / laboratories provide top-level job opportunities to M.Tech. / Ph.D. holders.
Other alternative work areas are marketing, quality control, food manufacturing, etc. Teaching is an option.
Higher studies abroad
There are several higher study options in the U.S., Canda, the U.K., etc for meritorious B.Tech. holders in Biotechnology.
Indian students should qualify GRE and TOEFL. Details of universities / institutes offering PG programmes in different specialised subjects such as food biotechnology, bio science enterprises, etc., in the Biotechnology field in USA and the admission procedure can be collected from the student advisor, United States Educational Foundations in India, American Consulate Building, 220 Anna Salai, Chennai 600006 (www.fulbright_india.org).
Information with regard to U.K. can be collected from the British Council Division, British Deputy High commission, 737, Anna Salai, Chennai- 600002 (www.educationuk.org).
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